Measuring tape with weatherproof seal

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates measuring tapes and methods for making thereof. In particular, the measuring tape of the present invention contains a wipe mechanism for cleaning the tape as it retracts into its housing. The wipe mechanism contains a top wipe and a bottom wipe for removing debris from the top and bottom surfaces of the tape, respectively, when it is retracted after use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/845,292, filed Dec. 18, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,260,852, which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/792,119, filed Jul. 6,2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,846,021, which claims benefit to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/021,130, filed Jul. 5, 2014, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to measuring tapes and methods for makingthereof. In particular, the measuring tapes of the present inventioncontain a device for cleaning the tape as it retracts.

BACKGROUND

A measuring tape represents a flexible form of linear rule, typicallyconsisting of a ribbon or tape of cloth, plastic, fiberglass, ormetallic strip of a uniform width containing measurement markings alongits length. This style of measuring device provides advantages over atraditional fixed rule in that it is collapsible and easily stored in acoiled form. One common form of tape measure that is well known in theconstruction industry retains the measuring tape by coiling it around aspool contained within a protective housing. The measuring tape may beretracted into the housing by hand winding the tape or by releasing aspring lock so the winding action of the spring retracts the tape.

Measuring tapes are often used in locations where particulate matter,such as sawdust, dirt, and powders from metal or masonry products, andwater are present. In typical applications, measuring tapes are placedonto a work surface and a measurement is read between two or morepoints. When used in this manner debris contained on the work surfacemay adhere to and accumulate on the tape. Subsequent retraction of thetape may transport the debris inside the protective housing where itbecomes trapped, unable to exit through the housing's small passageway.Once debris is trapped inside the tape measure's protective housing, itcontinues to accumulate and eventually foul the tape measure's internalmechanisms, sometimes rendering the tape inoperable. Over time, inaddition to lost time and aggravation to the user, the lifespan of thetape is greatly reduced.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,589 to Chemay discloses a tape measure forunderwater use. This tape measure is described as reliable, durable andeffective for underwater work. However, instead of preventing moisturefrom entering, it is described as easily disassembled for inspection andcleaning without tools.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,785 to Hsu discloses a measuring tape that isdesigned for fast and easy retraction of tape measures. The retractingmechanism is a hand crank that engages a reverse gear to retract thetape. No mechanism for cleaning the tape is disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,085 to Roeske discloses a retractable measuring tapecontaining an opening in the tape housing. The opening, when the tape isin use, is sealed with a plug. The plug can be detached from the housingby a user to access the interior of the housing to remove debristherein.

Therefore, there remains a need for a measuring tape that retractsquickly but does not transport particulate materials and water into itsprotective housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to measuring tapes, specifically tomeasuring tapes for use in harsh conditions on a construction site wheremoisture and dirt can render a measuring tape inoperable. The measuringtape of the present invention contains a wipe mechanism at the tape portto wipe the tape of any debris as it retracts into its housing assembly.The wipe mechanism contains an upper wipe and a lower wipe to clean theupper surface and lower surface, respectively, of the tape.

Methods for making the measuring tape of the present invention andretrofitting an existing tape measure to include a wipe mechanism arealso disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing background and summary, as well as the following detaileddescription, will be better understood when read in conjunction with theappended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, thereis shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. Itshould be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to theprecise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a partially extended measuring tapeof the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded fragmentary view of the partially extendedmeasuring tape of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a fragmentary side view of the partially extended measuringtape of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded fragmentary view of a fully retracted measuringtape of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded disassembled view of the wipe mechanism;

FIG. 6 shows an elevational view of a retrofitting kit of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 7 shows an alternative position for the wipe mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

When referring to the figures, like reference numerals designate likeelements throughout, while the different drawings may illustrate variousembodiments of the present invention. The embodiments illustrated anddiscussed herein are presented for the sole purpose of enabling one tomake and use the invention, is not exhaustive, and should not beunderstood as limiting in any way. It should be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise arrangements, dimensions, andinstruments shown and described.

FIG. 1 illustrates a length measurement device, more specifically, ameasuring tape 100. The measuring tape 100 includes a coilable tape 102that is at least partially disposed within a housing assembly 104. Avariable-length segment of the tape 102 is retractable and extendablefrom the housing assembly 104 along a tape axis 106. When extended fromthe housing assembly 104, the extended portion of the tape 102 may forma concavo-convex cross sectional shape that includes a concave or topsurface 108 of the tape 102 and a convex or bottom surface 109 of thetape 102. Although a concavo-convex cross sectional shape is preferredin spring-loaded, automatically recoiling measuring tapes, a flat tape102 is also sufficient for the present invention, particularly for themanual winding measuring tape. At least the top surface 108 of tape 102includes indicia for taking measurements.

A hook assembly 110 is fixedly coupled to a first end portion 112 of thetape 102. The hook assembly 110 includes a hook body 114 and anattachment portion 116 for fastening the hook assembly 110 to the firstend portion 112 of the tape 102. FIG. 1 shows the attachment portion 116may fastened to the first end portion 112 by rivets 118, but otherfasteners, such as adhesives, welds, folds, solders, etc., may also beappropriate for the present invention. In preferred embodiments, theattachment portion 116 forms a concavo-convex cross sectioncomplementary to that of the tape 102. In some embodiments, asillustrated in FIG. 1, the attachment portion 116 may span the entirewidth of the tape 102. In other embodiments, the attachment portion 116may span only a portion, e.g. a center portion, of the tape (as shown inFIG. 4) to facilitate the attachment of the hook assembly 110 to thetape 102. A hook body 114 extends substantially perpendicular to theattachment portion 116, and thus the tape 102. The hook body 114 isconfigured to engage an end portion of a workpiece to be measured, suchas a board or beam, and may contain serrations for secured engagementwith the workpiece. In certain embodiments, the hook may also bemagnetic for engaging ferromagnetic workpieces. The hook body 114 servestwo functions: 1) to engage the workpiece; and 2) to provide the “0”mark indicating the starting point of the rule portion of the tape 102.The hook assembly 110 may be allowed to float in the direction of thetape axis 106 an amount equivalent to the thickness of the hook body114. This allows for accurate inside and outside measurements to be readwithout having to account for the thickness of the hook body 114.Although the hook body 114 is illustrated in the drawings as spanningthe entire width of the tape 102, that is not necessary, as it may spanonly a portion of the width of the tape 102, as long, as it functionsproperly.

A second end of the tape 102 is coupled to the housing assembly 104. Thetape 102 is attached to a spool disposed within the cavity of thehousing assembly 104. A retraction mechanism is coupled to the spool toprovide for retraction of the tape 102. The retraction mechanism mayinvolve a simple hand winding mechanism or a powered mechanism which mayinclude an elongated coiled spring for motive force. A tape lock 120 isprovided to selectively engage at least one of the spool and theretraction mechanism, such that the extended segment of the tape 102remains at a desired length.

The housing assembly 104 includes a first side wall 122, a second sidewall 144, and a peripheral wall 126 connecting the first side wall 122and the second side wall 144. Each of the first side wall 122 and thesecond side wall 124 may have circular or polygonal shapes orcombinations thereof. The housing assembly 104 may typically be made oftwo halves: a first half containing the first side wall 122 and aportion of the peripheral wall 126, and second half containing thesecond side wall 124 and a portion of the peripheral wall 126. The twohalves are then assembled to partially contain the tape 102therebetween. The housing assembly 104 may be molded from plasticmaterials, including glass filed polymers, or may be cast, forged ormachined from metallic materials, such as aluminum, steel, zinc, orbrass, which are chosen for their impact resistance. Portions of thehousing assembly 104 may be co-molded or separately formed.

A slot 128 is defined along a portion of the peripheral wall 126. Theslot 128 is provided to allow for sliding movement of the tape lock 120relative to the housing assembly 104. On another portion of the housingassembly 104, a tape port 130 is provided to allow for the retractionand extension of the tape 102 to and from the internal cavity of thehousing assembly 104, as best shown in FIG. 4. Ideally, when in itsfully retracted configuration, a small portion of the tape 102 shouldremain accessible outside of the housing assembly 104, such that a usermay grasp the end portion 112 of the tape 102 and extend the tape bypulling it away from the housing assembly 104. The tape port 130 servesthis purpose, allowing the measuring tape 102 to pass into the housingassembly 104 without binding.

A wipe mechanism 200 (as best shown in FIGS. 2-4) is attached to thehousing assembly 104 at the tape port 130 to wipe the tape 102 of anydebris as it retracts into the housing assembly 104. The wipe mechanismcontains an upper wipe 202 and a lower wipe 204 that encloses the tapeport 130. The upper wipe 202 and the lower wipe 204 protrude away fromthe housing assembly 104 and are shaped such that they cooperate toprovide a slit through which the tape 102 passes. In a preferredembodiment, the upper wipe 202 and lower wipe 204 provide a slit thatmirrors the concavo-convex cross-sectional shape of the tape 102. Theupper wipe 202 is in contact with and presses against the top surface108 of the tape 102; and the lower wipe 204 is in contact with andpresses against the bottom surface 109 of the tape 102. The upper wipe202 may form an angle with the top surface 108 of the tape 102 of 0° toabout 45°, preferably about 15° to about 25°, more preferably about 16°to about 20°. Likewise, the angle between the lower wipe 204 and thebottom surface 109 of the tape 102 may be at a similar range. The upperand low wipes 202, 204 cooperate to clean the top and bottom surfaces108, 109, respectively, of the tape 102 through a wiping action when thetape 102 retracts into the housing assembly. Due to friction created bythe upper and lower wipes 202, 204 on the tape 102, if the measuringtape 100 uses a spring to provide motive force for retraction, it ispreferred that the spring used by the present invention produces aretraction force greater than springs normally used for ordinary tapemeasures. Preferably, the spring provides a force that is about 0.5 toabout 2.0 lb. to overcome the friction from the upper and lower wipes202, 204, more preferably about 1.0 to about 1.5 lb. The spring forceshould be sufficient to overcome friction between the upper and lowerwipes 202, 204 and the tape 102 when the tape 102 is covered with debrisafter use.

The upper and lower wipes 202, 204 are preferably made of a flexible,resilient material. Polymeric materials are preferred, includingpolyurethane, rubber, silicone, etc., with polyurethane being mostpreferred material. For example, a polyurethane having at least one, atleast three, at least five, at least six, at least eight, or at leastten of the following physical characteristics, is appropriate for theupper and lower wipes 202, 204:

Property Unit Value* Standard Durometer hardness SHORE A 95 DIN 53505Durometer hardness SHORE D 48 DIN 53505 Density g/cm³ 1.24 DIN 53479Tensile strength N/mm² 50 DIN 53504 Elongation at break % 380 DIN 53504100% modulus N/mm² 17 DIN 53504 Compression set: % 25 — 70° C./24 h, 20%compression Compression set: % 30 — 100° C./24 h, 20% compressionCompression set: % — DIN 53517 70° C./70 h, 10% compression Tearstrength N/mm 120 DIN 53515 Rebound resilience % DIN 53512 Abrasion mm³17 DIN 53516 Minimum service temperature ° C. −20 — Maximum servicetemperature ° C. 110 — *The numerical data are valid for test pieces ofthe corresponding ISO, DIN and ASTM standards and can vary by 20%,preferably 10%, and more preferably 5%.

The polymeric material may be self-lubricating. Methods for makingself-lubricating polymers are known in the art and are described, e.g.,in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,323,159 and 3,382,202, which are incorporated hereinby reference. Generally, the polymer is made self-lubricating by addinga fatty acid amide, such as erucamide and/or crodamide, to the polymer.When in the polymer, the fatty acid amide blooms to the surface of thepolymer to provide a lubricating layer on the surface.

The upper and lower wipes 202, 204 may be attached to the housingassembly 104 as known in the art. For example, they may be moldeddirectly to the tape port 130. Alternatively, the upper and lower wipes202, 204 may be attached to the tape port 130, e.g. by an adhesive. Inyet another alternative, the upper and lower wipes may be held in placeby clamping them between the two halves of the housing assembly 104.Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the tape port 130 has a generallya concavo-convex cross shape that matches and accommodates the tape 102.The tape port 130, however, is generally larger than the cross sectionof the tape 102. The upper wipe 202 and the lower wipe 204 may beprovided as two separate pieces, as shown in FIG. 5. Each of the wipes202, 204 contains an attachment portion 502, 504: the upper wipe 202contains an upper attachment portion 502; and the lower wipe 204contains a lower attachment portion 504. These attachment portions 502,504 are attached, e.g. by an adhesive, to the portions of the peripheralwall 126 immediately adjacent to the tape port 130. The adhesive usedmay be, e.g., a hot melt adhesive or a cyanoacrylate.

Because the upper and lower wipes 202, 204 protrudes away from thehousing assembly 104 and are made of a flexible material, it isgenerally undesirable to have the hook assembly 110, when the tape isfully retracted, come into contact with the upper and lower wipes 202,204. Repeated slamming and pushing of the hook assembly 110 against thewipes 202, 204 during retraction of tape 102 is likely to prematurelydamage the wipes 202, 204. As such, in preferred embodiments, theattachment portion 116 of the hook assembly 110 contains an elevatedportion 206 extending toward the housing assembly 104 and rising awayfrom the top surface 108 of the tape 102, as best shown in FIG. 4. Whenthe tape 102 retracts, the elevated portion 206 makes contact with theperipheral wall 126 above the upper wipe 202 (as best shown in FIG. 4)to stop the tape 102 from further retracting into the housing assembly104. That way, the hook assembly 110 does not slam onto or press againstthe upper and lower wipes 202, 204 when the tape 102 is in its fullyretracted position. Although FIG. 4 shows the elevated portion 206 beingpart of the attachment portion 116, the elevated portion 206 may also beformed and attached separately to the tape 102. The elevated portion 206may take on different configurations, as long as its functions toprevent the hook assembly 110 from slamming into or pressing against theupper and lower wipes 202, 204 when the tape 102 is fully retracted. Forexample, although FIG. 4 shows the elevated portion 206 being raised atan angle (preferably about 10° to about 45°, more preferably about 15°to about 30° from the surface 108 of the tape 102, the elevated portion206 may take on an S-shape or L-shape rather than a straight segment.

In an embodiment, as best illustrated in FIG. 7, the peripheral wall 126contains a set back wall 700 where the tape port 130 and wipe mechanism200 are located. The set back wall 700 allows the wipe mechanism 200 tobe located further toward the rear 702 of the housing assembly 104 undera ledge 704 to further protect the tape 102 and the wipe mechanism 200,when the tape is fully retracted.

In use, the tape 102 may be extended from the housing assembly 104 to beused for length measurement. As noted above, the environment in whichthe tape is used may contain particulate matters, such as sawdust, dirt,and powders from metal or masonry products, and water, which may adhereon and/or accumulate on the tape 102 when it is outside of the housingassembly 104. When the tape 102 retracts back into housing assembly 104,however, the upper and lower wipes 202, 204, by being in contract withand pressing on tape 102, remove the particulate materials and waterthat are on the tape. Essentially, the tape 102 is scraped clean by theupper and lower wipes 202, 205 before entering and does not carry debrisinto the housing assembly 104. The retraction stops when the elevatedportion 206 hits the peripheral wall 126 of the housing assembly 104,thereby preventing the hook assembly 110 from hitting the upper andlower wipes.

It should be understood that although the above measuring tape 100 andmethods for making thereof are described for a newly manufacturedmeasuring tape, they could be used to add a wipe mechanism to anexisting tape measure. Referring to FIG. 6, a retrofitting kit 600 maybe provided, which contains a base plate 602 having an opening 604therethrough. The opening 604 may be arc shaped to approximate theconcavo-convex cross sectional shape of the tape 102 and to allow thetape 102 to pass therethrough. The opening 604 is covered with an upperwipe 608 and a lower wipe 606, which substantially correspond to theupper and lower wipes 202 and 204, and have the same shape and function.The retrofitting kit 600 may be attached over the tape port 130 of anexisting tape measure to provide a mechanism for removing debris fromthe tape 102 as it retracts into the housing assembly 104.

Although certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention havebeen specifically described herein, it will be apparent to those skilledin the art to which the invention pertains that variations andmodifications of the various embodiments shown and described herein maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only to theextent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A measuring tape, comprising: a. a housingassembly; b. a tape disposed in the housing assembly, the housingassembly containing a tape port for the retraction and extension of thetape to and from an internal cavity of the housing assembly; and c. awipe assembly attached to the housing assembly configured to clean thetape when it retracts into the housing assembly, the wipe assemblycomprising i. an upper wipe blade positioned above the tape portengaging a top surface of the tape, and ii. a lower wipe bladepositioned below the tape port and engaging a bottom surface the tape,the upper wipe blade and the lower wipe blade defining a concavo-convexslit through which the tape passes.
 2. The measuring tape of claim 1,wherein the upper and lower wipe blades are made of a flexible,resilient material.
 3. The measuring tape of claim 2, wherein theflexible, resilient material is a polyurethane.
 4. The measuring tape ofclaim 3, wherein the upper wipe blade forms an angle with the topsurface of the tape of 0° to about 45°.
 5. The measuring tape of claim3, wherein the lower wipe blade forms an angle with the bottom surfaceof the tape of 0° to about 45°.
 6. The measuring tape of claim 3,wherein a first end of the tape comprises a hook assembly containing ahook body extending from the tape, and an attachment portion forattaching to the first end of the tape.
 7. The measuring tape of claim6, wherein the attachment portion floats in the direction of the tape anamount equivalent to the thickness of the hook body.
 8. The measuringtape of claim 3, wherein the tape coils on a spool that is driven by acoiled spring which provides sufficient force to overcome the frictionbetween the wipe assembly and the tape and to retract the tape.
 9. Themeasuring tape of claim 3, wherein the housing assembly provides a setback wall where the tape port is located under a ledge.
 10. Themeasuring tape of claim 3, wherein the tape is coiled in the internalcavity.
 11. A method for making a measuring tape, comprising the stepsof: a. providing a tape; b. enclosing the tape inside a housing assemblywith one end of the tape extending outside of the housing assemblythrough a tape port; c. attaching a wipe assembly to the housingassembly at the tape port, the wipe assembly comprises i. an upper wipeblade positioned above the tape port engaging a top surface of the tape,and ii. a lower wipe blade positioned below the tape port and engaging abottom surface the tape, the upper wipe blade and the lower wipe bladedefining a concavo-convex slit through which the tape passes.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the upper and lower wipe blades are made ofa flexible, resilient material.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein theflexible, resilient material is a polyurethane.
 14. The method of claim11, wherein the upper wipe blade forms an angle with the top surface ofthe tape of 0° to about 45°.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein thelower wipe blade forms an angle with the bottom surface of the tape of0° to about 45°.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising the stepof attaching a hook assembly to the first end of the tape, the hookassembly contains a hook body extending approximately perpendicular tothe tape, and an attachment portion for attaching to the first end ofthe tape.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the housing assemblyprovides a set back wall where the tape port is located under a ledge.